changed resorts - did I do the right thing?

[mmmears]

Last time you were at AKL, did you use the amenities? Did you spend time at the resort, go swimming, watch the animals, listen to the African stories, dine at the restaurants? If you did not or none of that was significant then I suggest FQ is you better option.

If you really appreciate all the things that AKL has to offer, then the extra 5 mins bus ride is totally worth it. If AKL isn't your cup of tea, then I'd choose POFQ. Personally I love AKL and try to stay there as often as I can.

 

[Karabee]

I have never understood the whole "AKL is far" since each resort has a park it's "far" from. I also think an upgrade to AKL for only $300 is amazing! It's such a wonderful resort and fully worth that $300. The transportation has always been good for me and the resort itself is so beautiful. I think you'll be happy with your choice but I do agree with the PP who asked if you get a good feeling when looking at it. Whatever gets you more excited and makes you excited is the way to go!

 

[ocalla]

AKL is such a beautiful resort that we dine there each trip!!

I would love to stay there one year, its on my bucket list .

it's only an extra 5-10 min on the bus rides which is nothing. .. After all its vacation!!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I have stayed at both resorts multiple times and I say stay with AKL..everything is different. From having a private balcony to being inside halls and a large lobby that is "hang-worthy", deluxe is the way to go!

I have never really noticed a bus transit time..I am usually busy enjoying the ride and they move pretty efficiently.

AKL is so peaceful and relaxing, the pool is FAR better because of the zero entry.

Trust me, it will be soooooo worth it!

 

[CampbellScot]

We have done both AKL and POFQ. While we loved the theme of AKL and the restaurants on site, the wait for buses was a deal breaker for my family. I know many people do not have issue with the bus waits but we did. The time spent was ridiculously long just waiting for a bus to arrive. Then the rides to any park but AKL seemed very long as well. After our stay at AKL my husband said "NEVER AGAIN". We felt kind of trapped. There is one way and one way only to get anywhere. Unless you want to pay for taxis.

We LOVE POFQ. The boat to DTD is lovely. We never seem to wait long for buses and there is always a place to sit. (first picked up and first dropped off in the FQ/Riverside loop).

All that being said, AKL is a gorgeous resort. If you are "hang out at the resort" people it's worth the money. The pool is great. The animals are so fun to see. If you are out at the parks more than the resort, it may be a lot of money paid for long bus waits and rides.

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE AKL! If I had to choose, I would def go with AKL. The place is beautiful and so unique. I often forget where I am when I'm there. The bus has never been an issue and the longest drive I think is 20 minutes (to MK).

 

[sndral]

Interesting, OP has stayed @ AKL before. If you didn't love it before, why not try another resort? WL is the other 'budget' deluxe did you look @ it - the boat to MK is a great benefit.
In regards to busses I have had waits/long rides/crowded buses @ every resort I've stayed at - not saying that's the norm, just IME no resort is immune. What I liked about AKL was one stop(Kidani) then you are off to your park or back from your park. POFQ shared w/ POR every time I rode the POFQ buses and that added to the time.
@ POFQ I loved the boat to/from DTD. Did not like the no balcony and the way the buildings twist and turn from the elevators or stairs to the room.
Food wise the only option was the food court @ POFQ whereas AKL had a food court, Boma and Jiko plus Sanaa is a hop away @ Kidani.
Poolwise there's no comparison AKL wins, however you can use POR's pool when you stay @ POFQ.

 

[Traceylee]

My opinion is YES, AKL is worth the upgrade. It's a beautiful resort and I just love it there. So peaceful. Love roaming the grounds to watch the animals; esp the giraffe's. Find them fascinating. Pool is awesome as is the gift shop. I've eaten at BOMA's which is good. The bus transportation doesn't bother me. It may be a tad longer; but worth it to stay here. The best part is that they don't share with other resorts which can add LOTS of time to the ride.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

The best part is that they don't share with other resorts which can add LOTS of time to the ride.

Amen!

 

[kerri0616]

I wish people would quit commenting about how far AKL is from MK. It's a bus ride away. It's on property.

AKL is absolutely worth the extra $300. It's so unique.

Pick AKL. You won't be sorry.

K

 

[mrsclark]

If any member of your party loves animals, then I would say the switch is worth it. The ride to AK is very fast, but the ride to other parks was fairly long (although not much longer than I noticed at BC) - on our second stay at AKL, they added the Villas to the route - not sure if they are still on the same bus or not, but this did add to the time it took to ride the bus.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

We have stayed at both.
POFQ was *meh* - we did enjoy the size of the resort - but the theming, pool and food court were not our favorite.

AKL - I know it is not the super close to the Parks - but folks talk about it like it is in Tampa! Seriously - we spent more time on buses at CSR then we did at AKL. AKL is amazing! The theming, the pool, the activities, the food options..love it all! It is truly a vacation within a vacation!

 

[twokiddos]

For us it depends on the age of the kids. We have stayed at AKL and it is a great place to stay, but we felt like it was way out there and now prefer monorail resorts, especially with young (preschool) age children.

Can I ask which resorts have access to the monorails? Thanks!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I just switched from POFQ to AKL, but I am having second thoughts. Is AKL too far from everything? (we have stayed there once before and ds remembers very long bus rides) Is it worth the $300 difference for the week? Thanks

IMHO AKL is totally worth the upgrade!!! It is a very unique and beautiful resort! I didn't think it was any farther than any other resort that uses bus transportation and I thought the location made it feel like an oasis unto itself - very relaxing. Enjoy!

Can I ask which resorts have access to the monorails? Thanks!

Resorts with monorail access are Grand Floridian, Contemporary and the Polynesian. The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness don't have direct access but are a boat ride away from the monorail - boat to Contemporary then access to the monorail from there.

 

[twokiddos]

IMHO AKL is totally worth the upgrade!!! It is a very unique and beautiful resort! I didn't think it was any farther than any other resort that uses bus transportation and I thought the location made it feel like an oasis unto itself - very relaxing. Enjoy!



Resorts with monorail access are Grand Floridian, Contemporary and the Polynesian. The Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness don't have direct access but are a boat ride away from the monorail - boat to Contemporary then access to the monorail from there.

Thanks so much!

 

[ArmyVet80]

We love POFQ. The boat to DTD is what has sold us. If the buses seem to be crowded you can take a boat to DTD and take a less crowded bus to whatever park you want. Then when heading back to the resorts towards the end of your night you can take a bus to DTD and have a relaxing boat ride back to the resort. Not entirely sure when the boats stop running but we have never had a problem with them for when we have gone back to the resort.

 

[JVig]

We love POFQ. The boat to DTD is what has sold us. If the buses seem to be crowded you can take a boat to DTD and take a less crowded bus to whatever park you want. Then when heading back to the resorts towards the end of your night you can take a bus to DTD and have a relaxing boat ride back to the resort. Not entirely sure when the boats stop running but we have never had a problem with them for when we have gone back to the resort.

I don't think there are buses from the parks to downtown Disney. That's what I've been told o these boards at least!

 

[vicki_c]

I don't think there are buses from the parks to downtown Disney. That's what I've been told o these boards at least!

That is correct, so that PP is wrong. You cannot take a bus from DTD to any park.

 

[magickingdommommy]

Thanks for all the feedback - I will stay at AKL.

We have stayed there before but it feels like a long, long time ago. I remember really enjoying it but it was also our first family trip to Disney so everything felt magical.

It was funny when ds said that he didn't want to stay there because of the long bus rides but I have convinced him - he really likes the idea of being able to use a gym.

No animal view room for us but if I remember correctly there is a spot in the lobby where we can see the animals, right?

 

[aVASTGrl]

No animal view room for us but if I remember correctly there is a spot in the lobby where we can see the animals, right?

There are multiple overlooks along each corridor, and by the lobby. If you walk down the stairs at the back of the lobby, there is the outdoor viewing area as well (along with the fire pit) and cast members there to answer any animal questions